Chapter 57Wait, what? Nami was questioning her reality; just what kind of people were on this ship?Luffy spoke first, asking Nami, "Vivi is our partner now, right?"Nami wanted to say no, but the rule of this ship was that anyone Luffy pulled aboard was a partner... that's how everyone else had ended up here."Yes, I guess so."Luffy pressed on, "Then it's settled. Since she's a partner, isn't it only natural to help Vivi beat up that guy named Crocodile?""Luffy..."Vivi looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears."And there's one more thing."Luffy turned his head, looking toward a dark street corner in the distance, his gaze sharpening. "We've already beaten up one of their Top Agents. That organization or whatever definitely won't let us off easily. Right? What do you think?"Through the misty night, the sound of crisp footsteps echoed.A tall, slender figure slowly emerged.Chapter 72: Taking Down RobinLuffy's Observation Haki locked onto the newcomer."My, my, how sharp."A voice drifted over, followed by a tall, mature woman stepping out.She had long dark hair, fair skin, and deep black eyes. Wearing a vintage cowboy hat, she exuded a mature aura that was both mysterious and slightly dangerous."Who are you?"Luffy was puzzled; this woman had hidden herself well. Without Observation Haki, he really wouldn't have noticed her.Nico Robin was also a bit surprised. She hadn't intended to reveal herself so early. Her childhood experiences had maxed out her stealth skills, yet Luffy had sensed her. This made her think even more highly of the Straw Hat boy."You can call me by my code name," Nico Robinsaid with a charming smile. "The princess over there should know it well.""Miss All Sunday!!"Seeing the newcomer, Vivi's face changed instantly as she shouted angrily, "Why are you here?!""How cold. I'm the one who allowed you to investigate and find the results you wanted.""But you're also the one who told Crocodile about Igaram's and my identities! What exactly are you after?!"Robin was indifferent to Vivi's anger, her smile remaining unchanged. "I just thought it was a bit pitiful that Her Highness worked so hard undercover but could never find the key evidence. So, I decided to give you a hand."She paused, her gaze turning toward Luffy with interest. "Of course, I didn't expect to meet the recently famous Straw Hat Luffy here. It's a pleasure to meet you; I am the Vice President of Baroque Works."Vice President?!Everyone immediately grew tense.Zoro and Sanji instantly entered combat stances, stepping in front of the others.Robin, however, didn't seem to have any intention of fighting. With a flick of her hand, she produced a log pose from nowhere and tossed it gently toward Luffy. "Don't be so nervous. I have no reason to fight you for now. From my perspective, I even want to help you."Luffy caught the pose and looked at her suspiciously. "What do you mean?""The next island your log pose points to is Small Garden, right?"Robin explained elegantly, "According to the normal route, you need to stay there until the magnetic force is recorded before you can head to the next island. However, that's a waste of time, and Small Garden is a dangerous place. For you, it might be the path to ruin.So, change your route. This log pose contains a route that only I know, which leads safely and quickly to Alabasta."Crack!Before Robin could even finish, Luffy crushed the Eternal Pose without hesitation."Where this ship goes is decided by me, the Captain."The Captain is the one who gives the orders.Otherwise, why would Luffy be the Captain?"I see." The smile on Robin's face froze. A flash of surprise and a subtle hint of amusement flickered in her narrowed eyes as she spoke:"In that case, there's nothing for it. We'll meet again in Alabasta."Luffy called out to stop her, "I'm still not sure if you're an enemy, but since you've come, don't think you can leave so easily."What was that phrase again?Letting the tiger back to the mountain, right?He wasn't just a reckless fighter who only knew how to brawl anymore.Since he had decided to declare war on Baroque Works, taking down a Vice President would be quite a victory."Oh? You want to take me down first? Despite how I look, I'm actually a Devil Fruit User." Robinstopped and turned her head halfway, that composed smile reappearing on her face."Is that so?" Luffy replied noncommittally.This time, Robin's smile wasn't so bright; her expression became a bit stiff.Because at some point, Luffy had appeared behind her, wisps of steam radiating from his body, and a hand was placed seemingly casually on her shoulder.The heat from his palm and the terrifying power it contained made Robin's hair stand on end. Her body instinctively told her she absolutely must not move!If she moved even an inch, she would truly die!Robin felt no kindness from Luffy.She hadn't experienced this kind of deathly pressure in a very long time."I'm becoming more and more curious about you."Robin took a deep breath and slowly relaxed her body, a meaningful smile appearing on her face. "Since you're so insistent, I'll stay."...Inside the girls' cabin of the going merry, the atmosphere was momentarily frozen."Thud!"Accompanied by the whistle of a staff, it landed firmly on the ground with a sharp sound.Nami held her clima-tact, her eyes fixed sharply on the woman before her."Miss All Sunday, what exactly is your goal? Come clean; you're our prisoner now."The addressed Nico Robin was sitting on a small, temporary stool, holding a cup of steaming black tea. The rising steam softened her somewhat sharp features.She blew gently on it and took a sip before looking up at the defensive Nami, a meaningful curve touching the corners of her lips."Instead of that, why are you siding with the woman who just got on the ship?""Nonsense, as if I'd side with you!""It's for the money, isn't it?"Nami was stunned. Had she made it that obvious? Or could Nico Robin read minds? She had blurted out Nami's thoughts just like that.That sentence instantly struck the most sensitive nerve of the little cat burglar.But—"Who says!"Nami stood firm and retorted stubbornly, "Don't talk such nonsense.""Alabasta is currently in civil war. To stabilize the situation and provide relief to the victims, King Cobra has likely already emptied the national treasury. Princess Vivi is probably even poorer than I am. If you're interested, I still have plenty of gold and silver jewelry on me."Robin took a sip of tea, her voice carrying a lazy, magnetic quality. "I really don't have much interest in those things."In an instant, Nami's eyes transformed into Berry symbols, and her breathing instinctively quickened.She hadn't expected Nico Robin to pinpoint her weakness so accurately. This woman was terrifying!How did she see through her greatest weakness at a glance?! And this method of tempting her with gold and silver jewelry was simply... simply too despicable!Nami's eyes flickered as she struggled with the choice before she declared, "I refuse!""Do you really not want them?"Robin made a motion to take off the pair of earrings that shimmered with an extraordinary luster.Nami's expression shifted unpredictably as she struggled internally.She suddenly reached out and pulled the still somewhat confused Vivi to her side, shouting at Robin with forced composure, "Stop your deceptive talk! Who wants your jewelry? Vivi can give me more than you ever could."Only, her words sounded somewhat lacking in confidence.Vivi also looked awkward.She was probably even poorer than Namiimagined.Chapter 73: Someday You'll Find Trustworthy PartnersA so-called alliance is formed when interests align.Just like the relationship of mutual exploitation between Robin and Crocodile, each had their own goals.And between Nami and Vivi, before they had Robinas a common enemy, they hadn't shown such a united front.The so-called 'divide and conquer'.Robin had long since stopped believing in things like the human heart."The sea is vast; one day, you will find trustworthy partners..."A long-forgotten voice flashed through her mind. Robin lowered her head and sipped her tea. Regarding Nami's reaction, she seemed to have expected it and chuckled softly. "Don't underestimate this Princess. She was able to go undercover in Baroque Works for two years and then easily get on this ship to become your partner. Don't you think that's impressive? If she has other motives—for instance, if she wants to obtain something—what will you do?""We're even poorer than she is."Even though Nami didn't want to admit it."Don't be so rigid. Who says what she wants has to be money? Couldn't it be a person?""Wha—?!"These words were like a massive boulder dropped into a calm lake, instantly creating a thousand waves.Nami and Vivi cried out almost simultaneously. They instinctively glanced at each other, and the two who had been holding onto each other instantly pulled apart.If it were a person, the figure of a certain man instantly appeared in both their minds."What nonsense are you talking!"Vivi was the first to bristle, her cheeks flushing bright red. "How could I have those kinds of feelings for Luffy? Absolutely impossible!"The more she rushed to defend herself, the more flustered she appeared.She's taken the initiative!Nami's expression also shifted repeatedly. She glared at Robin, seemingly trying to find a trace of mockery in that ever-composed smile.She suppressed the strange annoyance and fluttering in her heart, forcing the conversation back on track. "Enough, don't try to change the subject! Vivi, ask her the important stuff! What exactly is Baroque Works' plan?!""That's right, Miss All Sunday. Since you've chosen to cooperate for now, tell us everything you know about Baroque Works and Crocodile's plan!"Vivi said, "Where are the Baroque Works agents, and what are they doing?"Robin didn't mind their somewhat clumsy subject change. She elegantly crossed her long, perfectly proportioned legs and leaned back slightly, finding a more comfortable position."Actually, there's no harm in telling you.Several of Baroque Works' high-ranking agents have already appeared. Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine, who were defeated at Whiskey Peak, and Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek at Small Garden... Most of the rest are active within or around Alabasta. I can give you a list of their abilities and general personalities.But do you really think this information is that useful? To be honest, these subordinates aren't important to Crocodile. He can have as many subordinates as he wants. The real issue is how you plan to deal with the man himself.""What about his weakness?"Vivi pressed urgently, "You've been by his side for so long; you must know his weakness, right?"Robin picked up her teacup, took another sip, and smiled without saying a word.Crocodile's fatal weakness was an important bargaining chip she used to protect herself and wait for the right price; she naturally wouldn't reveal it so easily.The many conveniences she provided to Vivi were just her own little schemes; it didn't mean Robinwould stall her own plans for the sake of Alabasta.In her eyes, even without Crocodile, Alabastacouldn't be called a country without problems.Robin looked at Vivi and said, "Even if you're lucky enough to deal with Crocodile, will Alabasta's internal problems be completely solved? How do you plan to appease and resolve the issues of the people who are suffering due to the drought, the dance powder rumors, and years of rebellion—the people Crocodile manipulated? And what about the Revolutionary Army that has risen up in rebellion?"Vivi was taken aback by the question, but then a look of determination appeared on her face. "The root of the domestic unrest is the conspiracy of Baroque Works! As long as we expose Crocodile's true face and end the civil war, the country will surely regain peace and prosperity under my father's rule."
